EU eases trade with Jordan to boost jobs for Syria refugees

AMMAN, Jordan (AP) — A diplomat says the European Union has eased trade rules with Jordan to spur foreign investment in the kingdom and create jobs for Syrian refugees.

EU ambassador to Jordan Andrea Matteo Fontana said Wednesday that new rules will allow a wider range of Jordanian products to be sold in Europe without tariffs, by permitting a greater percentage of third-country components. Eligible manufacturers must employ a certain percentage of Syrians.

The deal is part of longer-term solutions for the fallout from Syria's civil war which has displaced millions of Syrians.

Jordan hosts more than 650,000 Syrian refugees. In exchange for employing Syrians, it is to receive grants, cheap loans and new trade rules.

The deal is also meant to deter Syrians from moving from overburdened regional host countries to Europe.